Officials from the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC), on Saturday, visited Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison to investigate claims that former Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister, Priscah Mupfumira is getting preferential treatment.
Jessie Majome, Frank Muchengwa and Kuziva Murapa requested to visit the prison cells, according to Mupfumira’s lawyer, Charles Chinyama. He said:
I confirm the presence at Chikurubi Female Prison of two commissioners known to me from Zacc this afternoon.
They indicated that their intention was to investigate whether my client was being given preferential treatment ahead of other female prisoners, but after talking to them, they drove off.
Majome said that they were blocked from visiting the cells and told to write a letter in advance requesting access to the institution. Said Majome:
We could not access it and were advised to write a letter so that we can fully assess the circumstances under which she is living generally.
We are concerned about the reports from the media (of preferential treatment) and we have an obligation to investigate.
Mupfumira was arrested in July at the instigation of the corruption watchdog on allegations of defrauding the National Social Security Authority (NSSA) of more than US$100 million.
She has been denied bail twice, the latest being this past Friday.